Collapsible receptacle for flexible beverage container

ABSTRACT

In combination, a liquid holding container having flexible walls is contained within a collapsible receptacle having rigid walls to prevent liquid from exiting the container when unwanted pressure is exerted on the container walls. The collapsible receptacle has an interior space to receive the liquid holding container when in an extended position, and is substantially flat in the collapsed position. The panels and bottom of the collapsible receptacle may be joined together with reversible hinges, or reversible biasing hinges to bias the receptacle to either an extended or collapsed position.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application60/693,733, filed Jun. 24, 2005, the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a collapsible hand-held receptacle havingrigid walls defining an interior space for housing a beverage container,or juice box of a substantially rectangular, box-shape having flexiblesidewalls and a pierceable, foil sealed, access port on its top.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid holding containers, or boxes, are a popular container form thatprovide a single serving of beverages such as juices, lemonade, ice teaand milk, and other beverages well known in the art. They are commonlyreferred to as “juice boxes,” or “drink boxes.” One such liquid holdingcontainer is marketed under the name TETRA PAK®.

Liquid holding containers typically come packaged with a strawseparately sealed in plastic packaging, attached to and removable fromthe container. The attached straw typically has two rigid sectionsconnected by a flexible, accordion-like section. One rigid section endsin an angled-cut piercing end, while the other rigid section ends in astraight-cut drinking end. The piercing end of this straw is designed topierce a small foiled sealed opening located near a corner on the top ofthe container.

Although convenient to store, transport and use, these liquid holdingcontainers present several disadvantages. The main disadvantage of thesecontainers is their tendency to leak through the straw if the containeris squeeze or its sides are squeezed together. This problem isparticularly troublesome when the straw is first inserted through thecontainer, as some force is necessary to hold the container while thestraw is being inserted.

This disadvantage is be exacerbated by young children who commonly useliquid holding containers as juice boxes. An additional disadvantage,particularly evident for young children, is the need for an adult toprepare the juice box for drinking by removing the straw and insertingthe straw into the juice box.

Although receptacles have been developed to minimize the discharge ofjuice or other liquids from the liquid holding containers by squeezingthe sidewalls of the container, (see, i.e., U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,435),such receptacles are not commonly used because they are bulky to carry,especially after the juice box contents have been consumed.Additionally, the receptacles are difficult to store when not in use.

Another problem with the existing receptacles is that distribution ofthe receptacles is rarely done with the sale of the juice box itself.Receptacles are not sold with each individual juice box because of theadditional costs for manufacturing and shipping. Receptacles are notsold with juice box packages because the receptacles are larger than theliquid holding container, resulting in awkward shaped packaging thatoccupy space during shipping, thus increasing shipping costs.

Accordingly there is a need for a receptacle that occupies minimal spacewhen not in use. There is also a need for a receptacle that can beeasily stored when not in use. There is also a need for a receptaclethat can be easily packaged and sold along with liquid holdingcontainers, i.e., juice boxes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a collapsible rigid receptacle having aninterior space for housing a substantially rectangular box shapedbeverage container having flexible sidewalls and a pierceable, foilsealed access port located on its top. The collapsible receptacle may beconstructed of rigid plastics material or cardboard, and may be eitherof single or double wall construction. When double wall construction isused, the space between the sidewalls functions as a dead air spacewhich, in turn, provides insulation for the cool fluid contained in thebeverage container when deposited within the receptacle. Moreover, theair space present when double wall construction is used, may be filledwith an insulative material, such as a foamed plastics material forexample. If the receptacle is constructed of cardboard, the cardboardmay be laminated with a water-proof or water-resistant material.

The collapsible receptacle may have at least one handle, such assubstantially ring shaped handle, attached to an exterior side portionof the receptacle. Also, the collapsible receptacle may have a series ofgrooves carried in one or more exterior sidewalls of the collapsiblereceptacle, which grooves act to enhance the grip of the consumer aboutthe receptacle.

One object of the present invention is to provide in combination aliquid holding container and collapsible receptacle, wherein the liquidholding container has flexible walls and an access port positioned on atop portion thereof, said container being of the type in which pressureexerted on said flexible walls results in the expulsion of liquid fromsaid container through said access port and the collapsible receptacleis capable of being in a collapsed position and an extended position.The collapsible receptacle has an internal space for receiving thecontainer when in the extended position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination aliquid holding container and collapsible receptacle wherein thecollapsible receptacle has a plurality of rigid panels reversiblyhingedly connected to adjacent rigid panels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination aliquid holding container and collapsible receptacle wherein thecollapsible receptacle has one or more reversible biasing hinge forreversibly hingedly connecting rigid panels. The reversible biasinghinge can bias said collapsible receptacle to an extended position orcollapsed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination aliquid holding container and collapsible receptacle wherein thereceptacle has a bottom, or a means for supporting the liquid holdingcontainer when the liquid holding container is inserted into thecollapsible receptacle when the collapsible receptacle is in an extendedposition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a combinationof a liquid holding container and collapsible receptacle having adeformable bottom. The bottom portion of the collapsible receptacle canbias the receptacle to an extended or collapsed position. The bottom canbe connected between adjacent rigid panels, or opposing rigid panels.The panels may also be deformable, and can bias the collapsiblereceptacle to an extended or collapsed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsiblereceptacle for holding a flexible beverage container, or juice box, in amanner that will prohibit unwanted pressure from being exerted on theexterior sidewalls of the beverage container resulting in unwanteddischarge of the beverage contained within the liquid container. Whenthe beverage has been consumed, the liquid container may be discarded,and the collapsible receptacle put into a collapsed position for easystorage

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination a liquidholding container and collapsible receptacle wherein the receptacle hasmeans for a consumer to grasp the receptacle, such as a handle attachedto the exterior of the receptacle, or by a grooved pattern in theexterior sidewall of the receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a collapsiblereceptacle comprising a plastic material which is light in weight andwhich permits inexpensive manufacturing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a collapsiblereceptacle comprising insulation to keep the contents of the containereither hot or cool.

A further object of the present invention is a method of packaging,distributing, and marketing collapsible receptacles for liquidcontainers.

Use collapsible receptacle of the present invention is not limited toliquid holding containers for single servings or beverages. Thecollapsible receptacles may also be used for larger containers, i.e.,500 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L or 2 L containers.

Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from areview of the present specification and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective and sectional view of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 a is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid holding container 2 (i.e., a juice box, acarton for liquids, a box for holding liquids) is contained within acollapsible receptacle 10 which can be constructed of inexpensive,lightweight materials such as plastic or cardboard. Liquid holdingcontainer 2 generally contains a beverage, such as a juice, fruit juice,or milk. Liquid holding container 2 can be a TETRA PAK® container whichis a substantially rectangular box-shaped container having flexiblesidewalls 4 a, 4 b, and a pierceable foil sealed access port 6 on itstop 7. Generally, a drinking straw 8 accompanies the TETRA PAK®container 2 and is used to pierce the foil sealed access port 6. Asshown, collapsible receptacle 10 comprises four panels 12 a, 12 b (twopanels not shown), and a bottom (not shown). The bottom and four panelsdefine an interior space for receiving and for holding the liquidholding container 2.

Collapsible receptacle 10 may collapse by designs that are known in theart. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, collapsible receptacle 20 has adeformable bottom 24 connected to two adjacent panels 22 a, 22 b. Thepanels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, and 22 d are reversibly hingedly connected soas to allow collapsible receptacle 20 to form a box configuration, orextended configuration, having a substantially ninety degree anglebetween panels 22 a and 22 b, 22 b and 22 c, 22 c and 22 d, and 22 d and22 a. When the extended configuration, bottom 24 is fully extended toform a support for liquid holding container 2. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 2, collapsible receptacle 20 may be collapsed into a collapsedconfiguration so that the angle between panels 22 a and 22 b, and 22 cand 22 d is between 90° and 0°, preferably between 45° and 0°, morepreferably between 15° and 0°, more preferably substantially 0°, and theangle between panels 22 a and 22 d, and 22 b and 22 c is between 90° and180°, preferably between 125° and 180°, more preferably between 165° and180°, more preferably substantially 180°. As shown in FIG. 2, when thereceptacle is in the collapsed configuration, bottom 24 resides outsideof the panels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d. In another embodiment, bottom 24may fall between the panels so that the bottom 24 would reside betweenthe panels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d.

In one embodiment of FIG. 2, bottom 24 is replaced with a means forsupporting a liquid holding container when the receptacle is in anextended position, but is deformed and folded when in a collapsedposition, such as with an elastic, stretchable, or flexible material.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, reversible hinged connections betweenone or more pairs of panels are made with reversible biasing hingeswhich bias the receptacle to a extended position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, reversible hinged connections betweenone or more pairs of panels are made With reversible biasing hingeswhich bias the receptacle to a collapsed position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, bottom 24 may be replaced with aplurality of support means, such as elastic, stretchable, or flexiblematerials.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, bottom 24 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased toa collapsed position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, bottom 24 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased toan extended position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, bottom 24 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to one set of opposing panels, such that the receptacleis biased to a collapsed position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, bottom 24 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to opposing corners 26 a, 26 b of the receptacle, suchthat the receptacle is biased to an extended position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, bottom 24 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to opposing corners 26 a, 26 b of the receptacle suchthat the receptacle is biased to a collapsed position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, a rigid panel may be replaced with adeformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material which bias thereceptacle to a collapsed position. The deformable, elastic,stretchable, or flexible material can be attached to bottom 24.

In another embodiment of FIG. 2, a rigid panel may be replaced with anelastic, stretchable, or flexible material which bias the receptacle toan extended position. The deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexiblematerial can be attached to bottom 24.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 3 a, the collapsible receptacle 30 has tworigid panels 32 a, 32 b, and two deformable panels 36 a, 36 b, and adeformable bottom 34. In the embodiment shown, deformable panels 36 a,36 b, and deformable bottom 34 are able to deform by fold 38 a, 38 b, 38c down their respective centers. Generally, deformable bottom 34 isreversibly hingedly attached to rigid panels 32 a and 32 b. Panels 32 aand 36 a, 36 a and 32 b, 32 b and 36 b, and 36 b and 32 a are reversiblyhingedly connected to one another.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, bottom 34 is replaced with a means forsupporting a liquid holding container when the receptacle is in anextended position, but is deformed and folded when in a collapsedposition, such as with an elastic, stretchable, or flexible material.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, reversible hinged connections are madewith reversible biasing hinges which bias the receptacle to a extendedposition.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, reversible hinged connections are madewith reversible biasing hinges which bias the receptacle to a collapsedposition.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, bottom 34 may be replaced with aplurality of support means, such as elastic, stretchable, or flexiblematerials.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, bottom 34 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased toa collapsed position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, bottom 34 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased toan extended position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, bottom 34 is replaced with a biasingforce attached to one set of opposing panels, such that the receptacleis biased to a collapsed position.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, a rigid panel or deformable panel maybe replaced with a deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexiblematerial which bias the receptacle to a collapsed position. Thedeformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material can be attachedto bottom 34.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, a rigid panel may be replaced with anelastic, stretchable, or flexible material which bias the receptacle toan extended or open position. The deformable, elastic, stretchable, orflexible material can be attached to bottom 34.

As shown in FIG. 4 and 4 a, a collapsible receptacle 40 is generallyshaped like a “grocery bag” having a main panel 42, two deformable sidepanels 46 a, 46 b, a solid bottom 44, and a deformable main panel 48.

The collapsible receptacle in the present invention may be constructedas single walled receptacle as shown, or may be constructed as a doublewalled receptacle wherein a space is provided between an inner and outerwall. The space may contain gas, such as air, or may be substantially avacuum. The air space can functions as an insulative means.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a unitary outer wall andinner wall may be molded, for example, of plastic; the longitudinalcross-sectional shape of each of the sidewalls may have a U-shapedconstruction comprising parallel inner and outer walls; a bottompositioned substantially perpendicularly to and integrally joined with,each of the inner walls; and a unitary distal edge portion defined byeach outer sidewall extending further downwardly and in the longitudinaldirection than each corresponding inner wall portion. This extensionallows for a bottom portion to be sealingly attached to the distal edgeportion thereby defining an interior air space having insulativequalities.

In another embodiment, a foam plastic or insulative material may beintroduced into an air space defined by inner and outer walls of areceptacle 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the present invention,collapsible receptacle 10 may have one or more handles 70 capable ofbeing grasped by a user. In another embodiment, the handle is alsocollapsible.

As shown in FIG. 6, in one embodiment of the present invention,collapsible receptacle 10 may have one or more grooves 72 on one or morepanels which serve to improve the grip on the receptacle.

Further, collapsible receptacle 10 may include an opening (not shown) onthe bottom of the receptacle 10 to allow for ejection or extraction of abeverage container which becomes lodged within the interior space ofreceptacle 10, and to allow liquid to flow out of the receptacle 10 foreasy cleaning or washing.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more hinges, includingreversible and biasing hinges, may be removed between two adjacentpanels, or a panel and bottom, and later installed between adjacentpanels or a panel and bottom. Thus the collapsible receptacle may beeasily disassembled and reassembled.

In one embodiment of the invention, the collapsible receptacle may beadhered to a liquid holding container with an adhesive. An adhesivepiece may be mounted to the exterior of one or more panels and/or thebottom to adhere the collapsible receptacle to one or more liquidholding containers. Thus, a collapsible receptacle may be transportedadhered to a liquid holding container which is in a collapsed position,and the liquid holding container need not be disposed in the interiorspace during transportation. When in use, the collapsible receptacle andliquid holding container are separated, the collapsible receptacle isput into an extended position, and the liquid holding container isinserted into the interior space. The adhesive may be any adhesive knownin the art, preferably adhesives which allow separation of thecollapsible receptacle from the liquid holding container with manualforce. The adhesive may also be a hoop and loop fastener system, such asvelcro, whereby a hook or loop side is adhered to the collapsiblereceptacle, and a corresponding loop or hook side is adhered to theliquid holding container. The collapsible receptacle may also haveprotected adhesive whereby the adhesive is covered with a thin film, andremoval of the thin film provides a surface to which the liquid holdingcontainer may be adhered to. Additionally, the adhesive may cause thecollapsible receptacle and liquid holding container to adhere to eachother when the liquid holding container is inserted in the interiorspace so as to prevent or make removal of the liquid holding containerfrom the interior space more difficult.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible receptacle mayhave indicia printed on or adhered to one or more panels or bottom thatappeal to children, for example cartoon characters, people of notorietysuch as doctors, patent attorneys, celebrities such as actors andactresses, singers, politicians, or sports figures, pictures, drawings,designs, holograms, stories, educational materials, jokes, orcombinations thereof.

Liquid holding containers are often packaged together in a pack, i.e.,two liquid holding containers in a pack, three liquid holding containersin a pack, six liquid holding containers in a pack, a dozen liquidholding containers in a pack. Liquid holding containers are oftenpackaged by shrink wrap and other methods known in the art. In oneembodiment of the present invention a collapsible receptacle is packagedwith one or more liquid holding containers containing a beverage to forma pack. In another embodiment, a collapsible receptacle is packaged witha liquid holding containing a beverage wherein the liquid holdingcontainer is housed within the collapsible receptacle's interior space.In another embodiment, a collapsible receptacle is in a collapsedposition and packaged with the liquid holding containers. In anotherembodiment, more than one collapsible receptacle is packaged in a pack.

The matters set here are offered by way of illustration only and not aslimitations. While particular embodiments have been shown and described,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects ofinvention. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to bedefined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspectivebased on the prior art.

1. A combination comprising: a liquid holding container having flexiblewalls and an access port positioned on a top portion thereof, saidcontainer being of the type in which pressure exerted on said flexiblewalls results in the expulsion of liquid from said container throughsaid access port; and a receptacle comprising a plurality of rigidpanels, said receptacle capable of being reversibly collapsed from anextended position, said extended position having an internal space forreceiving and holding said container, to a collapsed position whereinsaid receptacle is substantially flat; said rigid panels cooperatingwith and shielding said flexible walls from unwanted pressure. 2-17.(canceled)
 18. A combination comprising: a liquid holding containerhaving flexible walls and an access port positioned on a top portionthereof, said container being of the type in which pressure exerted onsaid flexible walls results in the expulsion of liquid from saidcontainer through said access port; and a receptacle having: a pluralityof rigid panels, said rigid panels reversibly hingedly connected toadjacent rigid panels, and a bottom portion reversibly hingedlyconnected to two adjacent rigid panels; said plurality of rigid panelsand bottom forming an internal space for receiving said fluid container,said fluid container resting on said bottom. 18-21. (canceled)
 22. Areceptacle adapted for holding a liquid holding container having aplurality of flexible walls, a base, and an access port positioned on atop portion thereof, said container being of the type in which pressureexerted on said flexible walls results in the expulsion of liquid fromsaid container through said access port wherein the receptaclecomprises: a plurality of rigid panels reversibly hingedly connected toan adjacent rigid panel adapted to reversibly sliding engage saidflexible walls; a deformable bottom portion connected to a plurality ofsaid rigid panels, said rigid panels and bottom forming an internalspace for receiving said liquid holding container, said base resting onsaid bottom portion. 23-25. (canceled)